Typewriter with electronic keyboard

ABSTRACT

The disclosure is directed to a modified IBM Selectric Typewriter which is driven through an electronic circuit and keyboard. The typewriter has electronic means for receiving signals and also for producing signals which are to be used in associated mechanisms such as being recorded on magnetic tape. A diode matrix is used with switches to replace the rods and interposers and key levers. Through the use of a series of gates and electronic buffers, the signals are transposed from mechanical to electrical pulses and are eventually applied to a series of solenoid drivers which energize or actuate the solenoid drivers which energize or actuate the solenoids which are coupled to the tilt and rotate mechanism of the single element printer. Operational functions are also accomplished in a similar manner to complete functional operations of the typewriter. In addition, the typewriter also includes means for actuation of the carriage assembly to return it to its initial or starting position without indexing the platen. The typewriter also includes an electrical means of stopping the carriage movement upon reaching the margin and accounting for the predetermined number of spaces by the carriage beyond the margin. A timing mechanism is provided which times the print cycles so that additional input data may be put through the buffer stages for energizing the print mechanism upon completion of a print cycle in less time than the maximum alloted for the function. Through the use of the three buffers, an operator may type a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;burst pattern&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and the buffers will properly store and print out the data in its proper sequence.

United States Patent [191 Wienhold Dec. 9, 1975 TYPEWRITER WITH ELECTRONIC 21 Appl. No.: 336,240

[52] US. Cl 197/19; 178/175; 340/365 R [51] Int. Cl. 341.] 5/30 [58] Field of Search 197/16-17,

197/19, 20, 52, 63, 66, 70, 107, l B, 113, 98; 340/1725, 365 C; 178/175, 79, 81, 23 R, 34; 235/130 R, 132 E, 145 R, 145 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,233,715 2/1966 Flicg 197/19 3,292,764 12/1966 Midgette et a1 197/20 X 3,414,103 12/1968 Knudsen et al. 197/20 3,453,387 7/1969 Bagley 178/l7.5 3,470,539 9/1969 Proud, Jr. et a1. [97/20 X 3,490,572 1/1970 Smith 197/66 X 3,493,928 2/1970 Juliusburger 172/23 R X 3,496,547 2/1970 Gorrill et al. 197/20 X 3,501,747 3/1970 Bungard et al. 197/20 X 3,530,976 9/1970 Higgason, Jr. et a1. 197/20 X 3,554,350 l/1971 Rolph 197/70 X 3,604,906 9/1971 Hunter et a] 178/175 X 3,624,612 11/1971 Hecker et al. 197/19 X 3,629,507 12/1971 Worrall 173/79 3,630,336 12/1971 Johnson et a1.... 197/19 3,643,773 2/1972 Holmes, Jr. 197/19 X 3,662,382 5/1972 Janis 197/107 X 3,665,115 5/1972 Snook 178/175 3,703,949 ll/l972 Howard et al. 197/19 X 3,739,344 6/1973 Serracch'ioli et al..... 197/19 X 3,757,920 9/1973 Wolf et al. 197/19 3,760,376 9/1973 Tanner 197/19 X OTHER PUBLICATIONS IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 11

Apr., 1966 Typewriter with Electronic Separation of input.

Primary ExaminerE. H. Eickholt Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Schroeder, Siegfried, Ryan & Vidas ABS IRACT The disclosure is directed to a modified IBM Selectric Typewriter which is driven through an electronic circuit and keyboard. The typewriter has electronic means for receiving signals and also for producing signals which are to be used in associated mechanisms such as being recorded on magnetic tape.

A diode matrix is used with switches to replace the rods and interposers and key levers. Through the use of a series of gates and electronic buffers, the signals are transposed from mechanical to electrical pulses and are eventually applied to a series of solenoid drivers which energize or actuate the solenoid drivers which energize or actuate the solenoids which are coupled to the tilt and rotate mechanism of the single element printer. Operational functions are also accomplished in a similar manner to complete functional operations of the typewriter.

In addition, the typewriter also includes means for actuation of the carriage assembly to return it to its initial or starting position without indexing the platen. The typewriter also includes an electrical means of stopping the carriage movement upon reaching the margin and accounting for the predetermined number of spaces by the carriage beyond the margin.

A timing mechanism is provided which times the print cycles so that additional input data may be put through the buffer stages for energizing the print mechanism upon completion of a print cycle in less time than the maximum alloted for the function.

Through the use of the three buffers, an operator may type a burst pattern and the buffers will properly store and print out the data in its proper sequence.

18 Claims, 29 Drawing Figures U.s. Patent Dec.9,1975 sheet lof 19 3,924,722

Sheet 2 of 19 3,924,722

U.S. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet 3 of 19 US. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 U.S. Patent Dec.9, 1975 Sheet4of 19 3,924,722

us. Patent Dec.9,1975 sheets 19 3,924,722

US. Patent 1166.9,1975 Shee t6of19 3,924,722

US. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet 7 of 19 3,924,722

US. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet8 01-19 3,924,722

U.S.Patent Dec.9, 1975 Sheet9of 19 3,924,722

DIODE PLACEMENT CHART Q-SPECIAL INPUT US. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet 10 0f 19 TO DIODES ON MARGIN RELv FOR LINE C. R.

RBI: R132 l A H F m m m H w v 2 m R 9 6 E m w w 5 R m R R I C C PM C R II I 8 2 C 4 m 4 4 W m 20 Z Z 20 "7 4 4 4 n 5 l H 9 X 3 V Ll 7. W :m 8 M '8 2 II. I II I I TO R R WR R WR V 5 l I I 7 F W 3 m w DA. w m m R m V C m 7 C To MM 7 W 8 R 5 C II R l U N 6 1T E W. m H M W 2 7+ O P C 0 LI l m m m R U IO N R n "A j a mo 7 T I w C. m m T K r C l 1 p C F V| 6 7 8 9 o m S L 6 6 6 8 F o R R R R R P F l w m w w v0 w M R R R R R M h 1 1 K W C s m CLEAR Sheet 11 of 19 3,924,722

U.S.- Patent Dec. 9, 1975 MARGIN RELEASE TO LR sw 95:1

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w mwhEDm x m 02 mp 50 U- A v mm 8 mm IGIO IO munEDm on IOIO la la US. Paient Dec.9, 1975 Sheet 14 of 19 3,924,722

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I 5v UND CYCLE TIMING T.s. No SW 2 zsI i CYCLE I \I TIMING 73 9 c'ou. BLK

OUTPUT @SEL 2 @BELL I -I IFT SOLENOID IO BELL SOLENOID SHIFT INTERLOCK NC I72 SHIFT INTLK GROUND I N c SHIFT SHIFT INTLK No 2 O TAB acARRIER RETURN 35\ NC INTLK GROUND I 9 No .91.

TAB 81 CR INTLK POWER SUPPLY 

1. A typewriter having an operating mechanism and a printing mechanism using a single element print head operable to present one character at a time to a printing position and print the same where the character is determined by tilt and rotational movement in response to distinct typewriter keyboard characters and operations, said typewriter operating and printing mechanism comprising: a. electrical matrix means having components interconnected to be representative of said distinct typewriter keyboard characters and operations, and producing output signals representative thereof; b. switch means including electrical power means electrically connected to said electrical matrix means and disposed in a typewriter keyboard pattern representative of the distinct typewriter characters and operations; c. keyboard buffer means having its input excited by said electrical matrix means for storing and releasing said signals representative of said keyboard characters and operations, said buffer means having a high speed input and a slow speed output characteristic; d. solenoid drive means operatively interconnected to said keyboard buffer means, said solenoid drive means being actuated in accordance with the characters and operations of the typewriter selected by an operator; e. buffer control means electrically interconnected to said electrical matrix means and said keyboard buffer means and controlling the flow of signals to said solenoid driver means; f. first timing means interconnected with said buffer control means and said solenoid drive means for inhibiting said keyboard buffer means while said solenoid drive means is energized; g. second timing means interconnected with said buffer control means and said keyboard buffer means for inhibiting said keyboard buffer means during a predetermined rest period; h. and printing cycle timing means operably interconnected to said printing mechanism and said second timing means providing a signal cutting off the operation of said second timing means prior to the end of said predetermined rest period.
 2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 including: a first circuit board having said electrical matrix and said plurality of switches disposed in said keyboard pattern connected thereto, said first circuit board being hinged to said typewriter to swing between its normal position and another position for servicing.
 3. The structure as set forth in claim 2 including: a second circuit board having said keyboard buffer, said buffer control and said plurality of solenoid driver circuits connected thereto, said second circuit board disposed beneath said first circuit board when in its normal position and both circuit boards being exposed in said position for servicing.
 4. The structure as set forth in claim 1 including: f. buffer pile-up means electrically interconnected to said buffer control means and said electrical matrix means and generating a signal when said buffer control means blocks entry of an incoming signal.
 5. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical matrix means includes: a first plurality of electrical interconnected to represent a first motion of said single element print head; and a second plurality of electrical components interconnected to represent a second motion of said single element print head.
 6. The structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said electrical matrix means includes: an additional electrical component interconnected with said first and second plurality of electrical components to represent an operational function of said typewriter.
 7. The structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said keyboard buffer means includes: at least three successive stages, each of which receives and passes to the next stage, said signals representative of said keyboard characters and operations.
 8. In a typewriter having an operational drive mechanism including a carriage member and a printing drive mechanism using a single element print head movable with the carriage member and operable to present one character at a time to a printing position and print the same where the character is determined by movement about two axes, means for actuating said mechanisms comprising: a. electrical matrix means, having components interconnected to be representative of distinct typewriter keyboard operations, and producing output signals representative thereof; b. switch means including electrical power means electrically connected to said electrical matrix means and disposed in a typewriter keyboard pattern representative of the distinct typewriter operations; c. keyboard buffer means having its input excited by said electrical matrix means for storing and releasing said signals and said electrical matrix means; d. signal discriminator means interconnected to said electrical matrix means and said keyboard buffer means providing a clock pulse for admitting data into said keyboard buffer means; e. solenoid drive means operatively connected to said keyboard buffer means, said solenoid drive means being actuated in accordance with the operational function of the typewriter selected by an operator; f. clutch means interconnected between the operational drive and printing drive mechanisms and said solenoid means, said clutch means causing printing or operational functions to be performed; g. carriage means operably connected to said clutch means carrying said single element print head and being movable from an initial position to a final position for each line of characters to be printed; h. line return means coupled between said clutch means and said solenoid means whereby said carriage means is returned to its initial position upon selection of a distinct typewriter operational function; i. bail means connected to said clutch means and being movable from a first position to a second position; j. first and second input means coupled between said solenoid and bail means at first and second points respectively and being movable singly into engagement with said bail means in response to operation of said solenoid means; k. index means connected to said bail means and being responsive thereto upon said bail means being moved from said first position to said second position; l. and latch means operably connected between said line return means and said bail means upon movement of said second input means whereby said carriage means and said index means are actuated.
 9. The structure as set forth in claim 8 including: m. interlock switch means interconnected between said line return input means and said keyboard buffer means for inhibiting said buffer means while said carriage means is returning to its initial position.
 10. The structure as set forth in claim 8 including: i. interlock switch means interconnected between said line return input means and said keyboard buffer means for inhibiting said buffer means while said carriage means is returning to its initial position.
 11. The structure as set forth in claim 8 including: n. tab interlock switch means interconnected between said keyboard buffer means and said carriage means for inhibiting said buffer means while said carriage means is moving to a new position during a tab operational function.
 12. The structure as set forth in claim 8 including: margin set means having left and right hand margin stops constructed and arranged to follow the margin rack of the typewriter and being engagable by said carriage means when said carriage means is moving left and right; q. latch means connected to said margin set means for actuation when said left hand margin stop is engaged by said carriage means moving to the left; t. and interlock switch means interconnected between said keyboard buffer means and said latch means for inhibiting said buffer means while said carriage means is moving.
 13. The structure as set forth in claim 12 including: zone switch means interconnected between said keyboard buffer means and said margin set means whereby said switch is actuated upon said carriage means encountering said right hand margin stop.
 14. In a typewriter having an operational drive mechanism including a carriage member and a printing drive mechanism using a single element print head movable with the carriage member and operable to present one character at a time to a printing position and print the same where the character is determined by tilt and rotational movement, electrical means for actuating said mechanisms comprising: a. an electrical matrix having components interconnected in a manner representative of distinct typewriter keyboard characters and functional operations and producing output date signals representative of the same; b. a plurality of switches interconnected to said electrical matrix and disposed in a typewriter keyboard pattern representative of said keyboard characters and operations; c. a keyboard buffer having first, second, and third stages connected in serial relationship for storing and releasing said signals representative of said keyboard characters and operations and having its input excited by said electrical matrix; d. a buffer control circuit having first, second, and third stages connected in serial relationship, each of said stages being interconnected with a corresponding stage of said keyboard buffer for controlling the movement of said data through said keyboard buffer; e. a strobe pulse generator connected to, and excited by, said electrical matrix upon closing each of said predetermined number of said plurality of switches, the output of said strobe generator being connected to said first stage of said buffer control circuit to initiate action of said control circuits; f. a plurality of solenoid driver circuits connected to the third stage of said keyboard buffer; g. a plurality of solenoids individually connected to said plurality of solenoid driver circuits, each solenoid of said plurality being actuated in accordance with the characters and operational functions of the typewriter as selected by an operator; h. a first timer connected to said buffer control circuit to initiate a printing operation and producing a signal of a predetermined time duration; i. a second timer having its input connected to the output of said first timer and responsive to said signal produced by said first timer, said second timer producing a second signal of predetermined time duration; j. a time delay circuit interconnected to said second timer and said first timer, said time delay circuit being responsive to signals from said second timer and actuating said first timer to inhibit a printing operation; k. and a buffer unloader circuit connected between said first timer and said third stage of said keyboard buffer.
 15. The structure as set forth in claim 14 including: m. a Printing cycle timer connected to the printing drive mechanism producing a signal representative of the end of the print cycle, said printing cycle timer being connected to said second timer and inhibiting its operation when said print cycle time is less than the total time of said first and second timers.
 16. The structure as set forth in claim 14 including: a carriage shift circuit actuated by one of said plurality of switches producing an output signal and being connected to said keyboard buffer for initiating one of said plurality of solenoids controlling the typewriter shift mechanism; and a shift interlock switch mechanically connected to the said typewriter shift mechanism for determining the status of said carriage and electrically connected to said first timer to inhibit the same when said shift mechanism is actuated.
 17. The structure as set forth in claim 16 including: a carriage shift lock circuit actuated by a distinct one of said plurality of switches and being connected to said shift circuit and said keyboard buffer including an electrical latch circuit causing said shift said circuit to continuously produce said output signal until said switch actuating said shift circuit is again actuated.
 18. The structure as set forth in claim 14 including: a solenoid control circuit interconnected between said keyboard buffer and said plurality of solenoid driver circuits controlling said plurality of solenoids so that upon energizing either the printing solenoids or the operational solenoids, the others are disabled. 